Simple Pasta with Balsamic Tempeh

 So as you can probably see, I've been playing with the look of this blog here and there, and I'm starting to feel a little more at home with this design, what do you think? And speaking of feeling at home, I've been moving into a new place, so the home comfort is a bit harder to come by while in transition. As things move along and I've been finding my nooks an cozy spots, I also have found that nothing is more comfortable and homey than a bowl (or in this case, mug) of pasta! And some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies can't hurt...

Pasta with Balsamic Tempeh

*There is a bit of multi-tasking while making this, so keep that in mind, but otherwise it's a fairly simple recipe!

Pasta of choice (I used Radiatori)

2 cloves garlic, diced

4 fresh tomatoes, roughly diced (I used campari tomatoes which have a great flavor and a small/medium size)

1/2 c diced tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

Oregano

Rosemary

Basil

Salt

Pepper

Cooking oil

Balsamic vinegar

1 package of Tempeh, cubed

Parmesan

-Boil water and cook pasta according to directions

-While water is boiling, begin to make the sauce by heating oil in a saucepan on medium low heat

-Add the garlic and let sizzle for about a minute or two

-Once the garlic becomes more fragrant, add the tomatoes, turn the heat up to a medium heat, allow to cook down a bit, then add the diced tomatoes and allow to cook, covered, for about 5 minutes

-Add the tomato paste and make sure it is well incorporated (add a bit of water if it seems too thick, this will help dissolve the tomato paste as well)

-Bring down the heat to a medium low and let this cook covered for 5-10 more minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency and taste

-In the meantime, heat oil on a medium temperature, then add the tempeh

*Tempeh is very absorbent so you may have to keep adding oil

-Sprinkle salt, basil, and oregano over the tempeh to coat lightly

-Cook the tempeh on all sides until it slightly browns and becomes crispy on most, if not all sides

-Once the tempeh is cooked and crispy, sprinkle balsamic over all the tempeh cubes while moving the pan back and forth to ensure it gets soaked up, then let cook for a minute or two more

*It is a good idea to turn your stove fan on for that last step

-In the meantime, combine the pasta and tomato sauce in a large bowl to coat mix thoroughly (I made a lot of pasta so that the sauce layer would be thin) 

-Add the tempeh, serve yourself a bowl or mug, and enjoy!